Free Cover Letter Templates

Need a cover letter template? Download any one of our 200+ free cover letter templates for Word, then fill it out to pair with your resume and complete your job application.

Build My Cover Letter

Templates reviewed by Career Advice Experts

Table of Contents

How to Use a Free Cover Letter Template

To use one of our professionally-designed cover letter templates, simply:

Choose the template you like and make sure your preferred file format is available (all templates are available as Word documents, some are available as Google Docs).
Click on the download icon in the bottom-right corner and, if prompted, choose the format you want. (If you want to use a Google Doc, make sure to select the color option you want before making a copy.)
Edit the document, using the template text as a guide to fill in your own experience.
Save your cover letter as a Word document or PDF to send to employers, using a professional file name like “your-name-cover-letter.pdf”.

To write a good cover letter, read the job description and demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the specific company. Cover letters give you an opportunity to expand on the accomplishments in your resume and make a case for why you’re the best choice.

ViewsLikes

Using a template helps you create a professional application and makes it much easier to quickly modify your cover letter for different jobs.

Copy & Paste Cover Letter Template

You can copy and paste this template into a doc to use as an easy-to-follow outline:

Copy and Paste Cover Letter Template

Your Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code
Your Phone Number

Today’s Date

Addressee’s/Hiring Manager’s Name
Job Title
Organization/Company Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code

Dear Name,

Opening paragraph: State who you are, say where you found the job listing, and explain why you’re interested in the position.

Body paragraphs: Give an overview of your previous job experience, skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Don’t repeat your resume. Explain what makes you a unique candidate and how you can help the company meet its goals. Use numbers to back up your claims.

Closing paragraph: State that you’d like to schedule an interview and provide your contact information. Say you’ll be in touch within a week if you don’t hear back. Finish by thanking the employer for their time and consideration.

Warm regards,

Your Name

As many as 94% of hiring managers think cover letters are influential when it comes to deciding who to interview, so use your cover letter as an opportunity to connect with employers and highlight why you’d make a smart hire.

More Cover Letter Resources

Now that you’ve got a template, check out these extra resources to help you write a cover letter that scores your next interview:

Frequently asked questions

See answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cover letters below.

What should a cover letter include?

A cover letter should include five essential parts:

Contact information
A personalized greeting
An eye-catching cover letter introduction
Convincing body paragraphs about your achievements
A powerful cover letter closing and sign off

What should not be included in a cover letter?

You shouldn’t include any false information in a cover letter, or the same information that’s already on your resume. It’s also important to avoid these mistakes:

Spelling and grammar errors
Addressing your cover letter to the wrong person
Including your salary expectations
Adding personal details unrelated to the job

Do I need a unique cover letter for every job?

While it’s not necessary to create a unique cover letter for every job, it does improve your chances of making a good first impression and landing an interview.

Each company has different challenges they’re trying to tackle through hiring. By writing a new cover letter draft for every job, you can explain why you’re uniquely qualified to contribute.

How long should my cover letter be?

Your cover letter should be between half a page and one full page in length, or about 200 to 500 words. This is the standard cover letter length because it’s concise, and keeps the hiring manager’s attention.

Do I really need a cover letter?

You need a cover letter if:

The job you’re applying to requires one
You’ve been recommended for the job
You want to provide information that isn’t included in your resume

Should my resume and cover letter template match?

Your job application will look much more consistent and professional if you use a matching resume and cover letter template.

Using mismatched templates can come across as unprofessional and might make it look like you didn’t put much thought or effort into your job application.

Free Cover Letter Templates

Cover Letter Template Designs to Edit & Download

Modern Templates

Creative Templates

Simple Templates

Picture Templates

Downloadable Cover Letter Templates by File Type

Microsoft Word Templates

Google Docs Templates

Templates for Academia and Research

Academic Templates

Research Templates

Cover Letter Templates for Different Experience Levels

Entry-Level Templates

Manager Templates

Executive Templates

Cover Letter Templates by Education Level

High School Templates

College Templates

Graduate School Templates

Cover Letter Templates for Different Jobs

Teaching Templates

Nursing Templates

Customer Service Templates

Additional Job-Specific Templates

Cover Letter Templates for Different Life Situations

Templates for Changing Career Paths

How to Use a Free Cover Letter Template

Copy & Paste Cover Letter Template

More Cover Letter Resources

Frequently asked questions

Related Articles

Your review would mean a lot to us.